Sometimes A Miracle

Okay, I am addicted. This show kills me. After 'ER,' I swore I'd never watch another 'medical drama' type show. 'ER' was SO draining, that it was actually stressful to go to bed afterwards sometimes, because your blood pressure was up from all of the drama, action, and inevitable death, life, whatever-everything that happens in a hospital. It's the perfect setting, actually, if you think about it.

I have a long personal history with hospitals, something I've never discussed here. The only time I ever discussed it was in a short story I wrote called 'Awake.' It's fitting that Meredith Grey goes through the things she does, and it's fitting that I like her so much. Because Meredith, broken, dark, twisty, flawed, messy Meredith is a character I see a lot of myself in. I was broken once, and it took me 33 years to fix myself, which I'm still to this day doing. But that's what you do-you keep working at it.

I knew I was right about Meredith. I knew she chose Death. And even though in the end she seemingly chose Life, I know different. She's the main character, and can't really die, or else there's this big hole in the show and voiceovers from dead girls just don't cut it ('Desperate Housewives' excluded). She came back because the plot called for it, not because she really wanted to. Sure, she wanted more than just a brief image of Derek, and Christina. But I think she was perfectly content to stay right where she was-gone over to the other side.

And her mother? I'm not sure if her mother was sincere in the end, or if she just gave Meredith a confirmation of her extraordinariness to get Meredith to go back. I'm glad Meredith is back, though, and now with even more to deal with than before. I'm hoping for some deep, meaningful discussions with Derek, who desperately needs an explanation. I'm hoping for some Girl Power between Meredith and Christina, my favorite Ice Queen. Mostly, I'm hoping this show never Jumps The Shark. It's just too good.

There was a great episode of The X Files, in its 9th Season (still a great season to me; critics be damned!), where Agent Reyes died, or had a near-death experience, and spent her in-between time in a hospital. So this episode reminded me of that one. Both of the heroines made it into the light, and both learned things about the people in their lives, after they almost lost contact with them all, for a very long time. But Reyes didn't choose to be there. Meredith, when she admits that she gave up, and quit trying to swim, is at her most vulnerable, and I LOVED it!

I'm disappointed in Derek, though. After he almost loses her for good, all he can say is, "Hey." He would have been breaking down! Well, Addison did keep him together, God Love her. But I hoped for a very emotional reunion for Derek and Meredith. I can only assume we'll deal with all of this as the season (and the show) goes on.

One more Uber-Nerdy commentary about the water, though. I find it interesting that the water in this scenario was the current that allowed Meredith to drown and lose life. In my story 'Awake,' the water represents the hope to live, and to succeed. How great are images and words that we can mold them in so many different ways?

And what of the rest of the Grey's characters? Well, Addison is my favorite, next to Meredith. So, Cheers to her. Eric Dane's Mark Sloane needs a lot of work, but Dear Jesus, is he nice on the eyes. Of course McDreamy is my Sweet Knight in Shining Whatever (to quote Meredith). I like them all, really, because they're so interesting, well-written, and have such nifty dramas. I'm not crazy about Burke much of the time, not due to actor Isaiah Washington being a homophobic jackass, as much as the fact that Burke just isn't very likable. And George drives me batty with his insecurity. How many times must I say it? Be a man! But I watch, waiting each week for that great hour of drama.

Thanks, Shonda Rhimes! And all of the writers. Excellent, excellent stuff. And much better than any film put out last year, Oscar contenders included.

Swim for the light, peeps.
I'll try.

;)